Debt reduction talks continue in Washington, as Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress prepare to unveil separate plans to avoid a default by the government. If an agreement is not reached by August 2, the U.S. won't have enough cash to pay all its bills.
"It means that people will not be receiving their Social Security checks, at least on time, that we'll have to make a decision about whether we're going to paying those who work in the military," said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Sunday.
Seniors who gathered for their daily bridge club game at the Myrtle Beach Senior Center Monday said they've been paying close attention to the debt ceiling negotiations. But most seemed to have little concern that their monthly Social Security checks will stop coming next week.
"It's a lot of hoopla, a lot of back and forth, and by the time August 2nd comes around, they'll come up with something," said Art Pross of Myrtle Beach.
Caroline Carmichael of Myrtle Beach said it would be tough for her to get by without her Social Security income, but she believes both sides will reach a resolution before it gets to that point. "I think if Social Security was cut off for instance, I think it'd be the greatest miscalculation of justice since Casey Anthony," the Florida mother whose not guilty verdict in the death of her 2-year-old daughter sparked a public outcry.
The Senior Center bridge players blame political posturing on both sides for the failure of the debt negotiations so far.
"I think it's showing the American people how ignorant our government is to be doing something like this," said Marsha Lang of Myrtle Beach. "And I think if (the default) ever happens, which I'm hoping and praying it won't, that there will be a revolution because we can't do without our Social Security and our senators know this."
Lang said lawmakers already have a solution, if they would agree to use it. "All they have to do is raise the taxes, but they want to bicker back and forth with the two parties."
If political leaders in Washington really care about Americans, they'll find a way to resolve the debt crisis, said Bushba Saxena of Myrtle Beach. They appear to care only about themselves, she said.
"They are bickering with each other. They should compromise and move on."
Pross compared the wrangling in Washington with another set of high-profile negotiations that appears to be nearing an end after months of frenzied talks.
"Just like the NFL stuff. They go for 4 or 5 months and nothing, and then near the end, they have to come up with something, now they settle it and off they go," Pross said.
